Electronic device enclosure

ABSTRACT

An enclosure for an electronic device includes a device opening and a device window. The enclosure typically includes a door that may be rotated about an axis to provide access to the device opening while remaining connected to the enclosure. Exemplary enclosures include a slot for a magnetic card reading system that facilitates the alignment and insertion of a magnetic card.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/736,139 for an Electronic Device Enclosure filed Jan. 8,2013 (and published Jul. 10, 2014 as U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014/0191644), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,484. Each of the foregoingpatent application, patent publication, and patent is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/531,629 for an Electronic DeviceEnclosure filed Jun. 29, 2015 claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 29/506,922 for an Electronic Device Enclosure filedOct. 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. D733,112, which claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/459,681 for an Electronic DeviceEnclosure filed Jul. 2, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. D716,285, which alsoclaims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/736,139. Eachof the foregoing patent applications and patents is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of enclosures for electronicdevices, more specifically, to an enclosure that provides an electronicdevice with additional capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, enclosures for electronic devices typically includesome mechanism to allow for the insertion and removal of the electronicdevice from the enclosure. For example, the enclosure may include anopening for the device or a flexible section of the enclosure that maybe deformed to allow insertion of the device. Such mechanisms, however,do not hold the electronic device securely within the enclosure, aredifficult for users to manipulate, and require more time to insert andremove the electronic device.

Therefore, a need exists for an enclosure that securely holds anelectronic device, is easy for users to manipulate, and facilitatesquick insertion and removal of an electronic device.

A variety of devices, such as electronic device enclosures, retailcheckout stations, gas station transaction terminals, etc., include aslot for swiping magnetic cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, chargecards, and/or membership cards). The device reads the information storedwithin the card's magnetic strip. In use, the operator aligns the cardwith the slot, inserts the card into the slots, and slides the cardthrough the slot. Current slot configurations, however, make itdifficult for the operator to achieve the appropriate alignment of thecard with respect to the slot that is required before the card can thenbe inserted into the slot. Furthermore, current slot configurationssuffer from undesirable friction and exit angles as the card is removedfrom the slot.

Therefore, a need exists for a magnetic card slot that facilitatesinsertion of a card and exhibits reduced friction and improved exitangles as the card is removed.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a door for anelectronic device enclosure including a door body, two hinge armsconnected to the door body, a rotating hinge on each of the hinge armsfor engaging the enclosure, and a mechanical snap connected to the doorbody for mechanically engaging the enclosure. The door body typicallyhas an interior surface for engaging an electronic device within theenclosure. The hinge arms typically extend outward from the door body'sinterior surface. The rotating hinges engage the enclosure such that thedoor remains connected to the enclosure and the door body is rotatableabout an axis generally defined by the two rotating hinges.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical snaps extend substantiallyperpendicularly outward from the door body's interior surface.

In another exemplary embodiment, the door includes two or moremechanical snaps connected to the door body for mechanically engagingthe enclosure.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the door body has an exteriorsurface that matches the contours of the enclosure

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the door body has an exteriorsurface including finger grips.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the door includes a security latchhaving a screw for securing the door to the enclosure thereby preventingthe door from opening.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the door includes one or morelocating bosses for engaging an edge of an electronic device within theenclosure

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the door body includes a buttonopening and the door includes a button extending through the buttonopening to at least the door body's interior surface.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a slot for a magneticcard reading system. The slot includes a central section and an uppersection joined at an upper junction. The central section has a firstinner surface and a second inner surface that are (i) substantiallyparallel and (ii) separated from each other by a substantially uniformcentral separation D. The central section's first and second innersurfaces define a swipe plane parallel to and equidistant from thecentral section's first and second inner surfaces. The upper section hasa first inner surface adjoining the central section's first innersurface and a second inner surface adjoining the central section'ssecond inner surface. The upper section's first inner surface isseparated from the swipe plane by a separation X1, and the uppersection's second inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by aseparation X2. At the upper junction between the central section and theupper section, the separation X1+X2 between the upper section's firstinner surface and the upper section's second inner surface isapproximately equal to the central separation D. Typically, theseparation X1 and the separation X2 increase as the distance from theupper junction along the swipe plane increases.

In an exemplary embodiment, the separation X1 and the separation X2increase linearly as the distance from the upper junction along theswipe plane increases.

In another exemplary embodiment, the separation X1 and the separation X2increase parabolically as the distance from the upper junction along theswipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the separation X1 and theseparation X2 remain approximately equal as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the separation X1 and theseparation X2 increase at different rates as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the upper section's first innersurface and the upper section's second inner surface define an angle ofapproximately 31 degrees.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the slot includes a lower sectionjoined to the central section at a lower junction. The lower section hasa first inner surface adjoining the central section's first innersurface and a second inner surface adjoining the central section'ssecond inner surface. The lower section's first inner surface isseparated from the swipe plane by a separation Y1, and the lowersection's second inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by aseparation Y2. At the lower junction between the central section and thelower section, the separation Y1+Y2 between the lower section's firstinner surface and the lower section's second inner surface isapproximately equal to the central separation D. The separation Y1increases as the distance from the lower junction along the swipe planeincreases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment including a lower section, theseparation Y2 is substantially constant as the distance from the lowerjunction along the swipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment including a lower section, theseparation Y1 increases linearly as the distance from the lower junctionalong the swipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment including a lower section, theseparation Y1 increases parabolically as the distance from the lowerjunction along the swipe plane increases.

In yet another exemplary embodiment including a lower section, the lowersection's first inner surface and the lower section's second innersurface define an angle of approximately 19 degrees.

In yet another aspect, the present invention embraces an electronicdevice enclosure that includes a door in accordance with the firstaspect and a slot for a magnetic card reading system in accordance withthe second aspect.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an electronic device enclosurein accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the exemplary enclosure of FIG. 1 holding an electronicdevice.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a door for an enclosure inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts another view of the exemplary door of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1 and 2 without anelectronic device and with the door in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2 and5.

FIG. 7 depicts another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2 and5-6.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-7.

FIG. 9 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-8.

FIG. 10 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-9.

FIG. 11 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-10.

FIG. 12 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-11.

FIG. 13 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure of FIGS. 1-2and 5-12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces a door for an electronic device enclosurethat securely holds an electronic device, is easy for users tomanipulate, and facilitates quick insertion and removal of an electronicdevice.

Exemplary doors include a door body having an exterior surface and aninterior surface. Typically, the door body's exterior surface matchesthe contours of the enclosure with which it works. The door body'sexterior surface may also include finger grips, such as indentations orridges, optionally bearing indicia indicating the proper direction ofmovement required to open the door.

The door body's interior surface typically engages or abuts theelectronic device (e.g., an iOS-based device manufactured by Apple,Inc., such as an iPod or iPhone) within the enclosure when the door isin a closed position. In this regard, the door may include one or morelocating bosses (e.g., on the interior surface) to position theelectronic device correctly within the enclosure when the door is in aclosed position.

The door typically includes at least one mechanical snap connected tothe door body for mechanically engaging the enclosure. In this regard,the mechanical snap functions with the enclosure such that, uponapplication of sufficient force to the door body, the mechanical snapsengage the enclosure to keep the door closed. The mechanical snaptypically extends substantially perpendicularly outward from the doorbody's interior surface. That said, the mechanical snap may take avariety of shapes and orientations to interface and engage with theenclosure.

The door also includes two hinge arms connected to the door body thateach includes a rotating hinge at their respective ends that are notconnected to the door body. In other words, one end of each hinge arm isconnected to the door body, and a rotating hinge is attached to, or apart of, the other end of the hinge arm. The hinge arms typically extendsubstantially perpendicularly outward from the door body's interiorsurface. That said, the hinge arms may extend from the door body at anyangle appropriate to place the rotating hinges in the correct positionto interact with the enclosure and/or provide the appropriate motion ofthe door body during opening and closing.

The rotating hinges engage the enclosure such that the door remainsconnected to the enclosure. In this regard, the rotating hinges mayinclude a stop tab and/or protrusion that interacts with the enclosureto allow the hinge to move inward and outward within the enclosure butprevents the rotating hinge from being pulled out of the enclosurethereby disconnecting the door.

The rotating hinges typically also engage the enclosure such that thedoor body is rotatable about an axis defined by the rotating hinges(i.e., an axis passing through the approximate center of each hinge). Inthis regard, the rotating hinges allow rotation of the door body topermit insertion or installation of the electronic device within theenclosure while preventing the door from becoming detached ordisconnected from the enclosure.

The door may also include a security latch having a screw (e.g., a torx,Allen/hex, Phillips-head, flat-head, or star-drive screw) for securingthe door to the enclosure. The security latch may be used to lock thedoor to the enclosure, thereby preventing theft or unwanted removal ofthe electronic device.

In some embodiments, the door includes a button. The door body includesa button opening and the button extends through the button opening to atleast the door body's interior surface. The button may extend beyond thedoor body's exterior surface. The button may be connected to electronicswithin the enclosure. The button may also be a physical button thatengages a button (e.g., a power button) on the external surface of anelectronic device within the enclosure.

In another aspect, the prevent invention embraces a magnetic card slotthat facilitates insertion of a card and exhibits reduced friction andimproved exit angles as the card is removed. In exemplary embodiments,the slot includes a central section and an upper section that are joinedat an upper junction. The central section typically has a first innersurface and a second inner surface that are substantially parallel toeach other and are separated from each other by a substantially uniformcentral separation D.

Generally, the central section of the slot may include the magnetic cardreading components of a magnetic card reading system. The centralsection typically provides the appropriate alignment and/or orientationof the magnetic strip of a card as it is swiped through the slot. Inthis regard, the central section's first and second inner surfacesdefine a swipe plane that is parallel to and equidistant from thecentral sections' first and second inner surfaces.

As noted, the slot may include an upper section joined to the centralsection at an upper junction. The upper section has a first innersurface adjoining the central section's first inner surface and a secondinner surface adjoining the central section's second inner surface. Theupper section's first inner surface is separated from the swipe plane bya separation X1. Similarly, the upper section's second inner surface isseparated from the swipe plane by a separation X2.

The upper junction, at which each section's respective inner surfacesmeet, is typically a smooth surface to facilitate the swiping of amagnetic card through the slot. In this regard, at the upper junction,the separation X1+X2 between the upper section's first inner surface andthe upper section's second inner surface is approximately equal to thecentral separation D.

The upper section's first and second inner surfaces typically diverge toprovide a wider entry or exit angle for a magnetic card to be swipedthrough the slot. In this regard, the separation X1 (i.e., theseparation between the upper section's first inner surface and the swipeplane) typically increases as the distance from the upper junction alongthe swipe plane increases. The separation X2 (i.e., the separationbetween the upper section's second inner surface and the swipe plane)may also increase as the distance from the upper junction along theswipe plane increases. The increasing separation distance between theupper section's inner surfaces facilitates an operator's alignment,insertion, and/or removal of a card with respect to the slot.

In exemplary embodiments wherein separation X1 and separation X2 bothincrease, the rate at which separation X1 and separation X2 increase istypically different. That said, the rate at which separation X1 andseparation X2 increase may be the same.

The separation X1 between the upper section's first inner surface andthe swipe plane and the separation X2 between the upper section's secondinner surface and the swipe plane may increase substantially linearly asthe distance from the upper junction along the swipe plane increases.

Alternatively, the separation X1 and separation X2 may increaseparabolically as the distance from the upper junction along the swipeplane increases. In such embodiments, the upper section provides arounded entry or exit for a magnetic card being swiped through the slot.Such rounding further facilitates an operator's alignment, insertion,and/or removal of a card with respect to the slot.

In exemplary embodiments, the upper section's first inner surface andthe upper section's second inner surface define an angle ofapproximately 31 degrees.

Exemplary slots may also include a lower section joined to the centralsection at a lower junction. The lower section has a first inner surfaceadjoining the central section's first inner surface and a second innersurface adjoining the central section's second inner surface. The lowersection's first inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by aseparation Y1. Similarly, the lower section's second inner surface isseparated from the swipe plane by a separation Y2.

The lower junction, at which each section's respective inner surfacesmeet, is typically a smooth surface to facilitate the swiping of amagnetic card through the slot. In this regard, at the lower junction,the separation Y1+Y2 between the lower section's first inner surface andthe lower section's second inner surface is approximately equal to thecentral separation D.

The lower section's first and second inner surfaces typically diverge toprovide a wider entry or exit angle for a magnetic card to be swipedthrough the slot. In this regard, the separation Y1 (i.e., theseparation between the lower section's first inner surface and the swipeplane) typically increases as the distance from the lower junction alongthe swipe plane increases. The separation Y2 (i.e., the separationbetween the lower section's second inner surface and the swipe plane)may also increase as the distance from the lower junction along theswipe plane increases. The increasing separation distance between thelower section's inner surfaces facilitates an operator's alignment,insertion, and/or removal of a card with respect to the slot.

In exemplary embodiments wherein separation Y1 and separation Y2 bothincrease, the rate at which separation Y1 and separation Y2 increase istypically different. That said, the rate at which separation Y1 andseparation Y2 increase may be the same.

The separation Y1 between the upper section's first inner surface andthe swipe plane and the separation Y2 between the upper section's secondinner surface and the swipe plane may increase substantially linearly asthe distance from the upper junction along the swipe plane increases.

Alternatively, the separation Y1 and separation Y2 may increaseparabolically as the distance from the upper junction along the swipeplane increases. In such embodiments, the upper section provides arounded entry or exit for a magnetic card being swiped through the slot.Such rounding further facilitates an operator's alignment, insertion,and/or removal of a card with respect to the slot.

In exemplary embodiments, the lower section's first inner surface andthe lower section's second inner surface define an angle ofapproximately 19 degrees.

In an exemplary slot including a lower section, the separation Y1increases as the distance from the lower junction along the swipe planeincreases, while the separation Y2 is substantially constant as thedistance from the lower junction along the swipe plane increases.

In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, themagnetic card slot includes a swiping section and an entrance section.The swiping section includes the magnetic card reading components of amagnetic card reading system and generally defines the plane throughwhich the magnetic strip of the card should be swiped (i.e., the swipeplane). The transition between the swiping section and entrance sectionis typically smooth.

The slot's entrance section includes walls or surfaces that are angledaway from the swipe plane to facilitate alignment, insertion, and/orremoval of a card from the slot. The entrance section provides an entryangle between the walls or surfaces of approximately 31 degrees.

The slot may also include an exit section. The exit section maysimilarly include walls or surfaces that are angled away from the swipeplane to facilitate alignment, insertion, and/or removal of a card fromthe slot. That said, one or both of the exit section's walls or surfacesmay be parallel to the swipe plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the exitsection provides an exit angle between the walls or surfaces ofapproximately 19 degrees.

The slot's entrance section and/or exit section may also include roundsand/or curved edges to facilitate alignment, insertion, and/or removalof a card from the slot. The rounds and/or curved edges curve away fromthe swipe plane. Exemplary rounds and/or curved edges curve away fromthe swipe plane in the swipe direction (i.e., the direction that themagnetic strip of the card should be swiped). For example, the exitsection may include rounds and/or curved edges curving away from theswipe plane in the swipe direction to facilitate a more intuitiveremoval of a magnetic card after it has been swiped through the slot.

The rounds and/or curved edges may also curve away from the swipe planein a direction opposite the swipe direction. For example, the entrancesection may include rounds and/or curved edges curving away from theswipe plane in the direction opposite the swipe direction to facilitatea more intuitive alignment and insertion of a magnetic card into theslot.

The rounds and/or curved edges may also curve away from the swipe planein a direction perpendicular to the swipe direction to facilitate a moreintuitive alignment, insertion, and/or removal of the magnetic card fromthe slot.

Furthermore, the rounds and/or curved edges may curve away from theswipe plane in any direction to facilitate a more intuitive alignment,insertion, and/or removal of the magnetic card from the slot.Additionally, exemplary entrance or exit sections may include roundsand/or curved edges that curve away from the swipe plane in multipledirections depending upon their placement on the entrance or exitsection.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary embodiment of an electronic deviceenclosure in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts theexemplary enclosure 10 without an electronic device 40 therein, whileFIG. 2 depicts the enclosure 10 holding an electronic device 40. Theenclosure 10 includes a top portion 10 a and a bottom portion 10 b. Theenclosure 10 also includes a device opening 11 for holding an electronicdevice 40.

The enclosure 10 has a device window 12 for providing access to anelectronic device 40 placed in the device opening 11. The device window12 is bordered by the front edge 13, back edge 14, left edge 15, andright edge 16.

As depicted, the enclosure 10 includes an auxiliary port 17 a. Theauxiliary port 17 a may be an input/output connector (e.g., a USB port)for providing a connection between the enclosure and an external device(e.g., a PC). The auxiliary port 17 a may also be an opening in theenclosure 10 that provides access to a port in an electronic device 40within the enclosure 10.

The enclosure 10 also includes an auxiliary button 18 a. The auxiliarybutton 18 a may be connected to electronics within the enclosure 10. Theauxiliary button 18 a may also be a physical button that engages abutton on the external surface of an electronic device 40 within theenclosure 10.

As depicted, the enclosure 10 includes a transmission window 19. Thetransmission window 19 may provide an opening for exemplary embodimentsof the enclosure that include an image capture and processing systemand/or laser-based indicia reading system.

The enclosure 10 typically includes a door 20 that facilitates theinsertion and removal of an electronic device 40. The door 20 may belocated at the enclosure's front edge 13 or the enclosure's back edge14. In some embodiments, the enclosure 10 may include a door 20 at boththe front edge 13 and the back edge 14.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 20 includes an exterior surface22 b and a finger grip 26 a. The door's exterior surface 22 b matchesthe contours of the enclosure 10 (e.g., the contours of the top portion10 a and bottom portion 10 b).

The door 20 also includes a button opening 28 a and button 28 b. Thebutton 28 b extends through the button opening 28 a to at least the doorbody's interior surface (not shown). As depicted, the button 28 b mayextend beyond the door's exterior surface 22 b. The button 28 b may beconnected to electronics within the enclosure 10. The button 28 b mayalso be a physical button that engages a button (e.g., a power button)on the external surface of an electronic device within the enclosure 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict views of the exterior and interior, respectively,of an exemplary door 20. As shown, the door 20 includes a door body 21,an exterior surface 22 b, finger grips 26 a and 26 b, and a buttonopening 28 a. The door 20 also includes hinge arms 23 a and 23 bextending perpendicularly outward from the door body 21. Rotating hinges24 a and 24 b are located at the ends of arms 23 a and 23 b,respectively.

The door 20 also includes an interior surface 22 a and locating bosses27. The locating bosses 27 are typically of appropriate size and shapeto correctly position an electronic device within the enclosure 10 whenthe door 20 is in a closed position.

The door 20 includes two mechanical snaps 25 a and 25 b extendingsubstantially perpendicularly outward from the door body's interiorsurface 22 a. The mechanical snaps 25 a and 25 b engage the enclosure 10to keep the door 20 closed.

FIG. 5 depicts the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 without anelectronic device 40 and with the door 20 in an open position. Asdepicted, the interaction between the door's rotating hinges and hingearms with the enclosure 10 permit the door body 21 to rotate upwardproviding access to the device opening 11. An electronic device can beinserted into the device opening 11 while the door 20 is still connectedto the enclosure 10.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS. 1-2and 5. As depicted, the enclosure 10 also includes a slot 30 for amagnetic card reading system within the enclosure 10. The slot 30 istypically on the bottom portion 10 b of the enclosure 10 and includes acentral section 31, an upper section 32, and a lower section 36.

The central section 31 has two surfaces that are substantially parallelto each other and are separated by a substantially uniform distance D.The surfaces of the central section 31 define a swipe plane 35 that isequidistant from each surface that approximates the plane through whicha magnetic card would be swiped.

The upper section 32 is joined to the central section 31 at the upperjunction 33, while the lower section 36 is joined to the central section31 at the lower junction 37. The upper and lower junctions 33 and 37 aretypically the location at which the surfaces of the slot 30 begindiverging from the swipe plane 35.

The upper section 32 has two surfaces that are separated from the swipeplane 35 by separations X1 and X2. As depicted, separations X1 and X2typically increase as the distance from the upper junction 33 along theswipe plane 35 increases. In this regard, the upper section's surfacescurve away from the swipe plane 35 to facilitate the insertion andalignment of a magnetic card to be swiped through slot 30. As depicted,the upper section's surfaces define an entry angle of approximately 31degrees.

The lower section 32 also has two surfaces that are separated from theswipe plane 35 by separations Y1 and Y2. As depicted, separation Y1increases as the distance from the lower junction 37 along the swipeplane 35 increases, while separation Y2 is substantially constant as thedistance from the lower junction 37 along the swipe plane 35 increases.In this regard, the bottom surface of the lower section 36 curves awayfrom the swipe plane 35 to facilitate the removal of a magnetic cardswiped through slot 30 (e.g., via a more natural or ergonomic movement).As depicted, the lower section's surfaces define an exit angle ofapproximately 19 degrees.

As noted, the upper and lower junctions 33 and 37 are typically thelocation at which the surfaces of the slot 30 begin diverging from theswipe plane 35. In exemplary embodiments, however, the slot's surfacesmay begin diverging from the swipe plane 35 at different locations alongthe swipe plane 35. In other words, the upper surface of the slot maydiverge from the swipe plane 35 closer to the center of the slot 30 thanthe lower surface. Thus, the upper and lower junctions 33 and 37 shouldbe considered approximate sections along the slot 30 rather than preciselocations equidistant from the center of the slot 30.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict additional views of the exemplary enclosure 10 ofFIGS. 1-2 and 5-6. FIG. 8 also depicts a card 50 being swiped throughthe slot 30. As depicted, the slot 30 has enough depth (i.e., distancefrom the outer right edge of the enclosure 10) to permit the magneticstrip portion of a magnetic card 50 to pass through the slot 30 and beread by a magnetic card reading system.

FIG. 9 depicts another view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS. 1-2and 5-8. As depicted, the enclosure 10 includes another auxiliary button18 b. The auxiliary button 18 b may be connected to electronics withinthe enclosure 10. The auxiliary button 18 b may also be a physicalbutton that engages a button on the external surface of an electronicdevice 40 within the enclosure 10. As depicted, the enclosure 10 has twoauxiliary buttons 18 a and 18 b, but it is within the scope of thepresent invention for the enclosure 10 to have three or more auxiliarybuttons.

FIG. 10 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS.1-2 and 5-9. As depicted, the enclosure 10 includes a camera aperture38. The camera aperture 38 may be part of a camera system within theenclosure 10 (e.g., a camera lens and/or flash illumination device). Thecamera aperture 38 may also be a transparent window or aperture for thecamera system of an electronic device within the enclosure 10.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS. 1-2and 5-10. As noted, the enclosure 10 includes another auxiliary button18 b.

FIG. 12 depicts another view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS. 1-2and 5-11. As noted, the exemplary enclosure includes a transmissionwindow 19, a slot 30, and the slot's upper section 32, each of which isat least partially visible in the depicted view.

FIG. 13 depicts yet another view of the exemplary enclosure 10 of FIGS.1-2 and 5-12. As depicted, the enclosure includes another auxiliary port17 b. The auxiliary port 17 b may be an input/output connector (e.g., aheadphone jack) for providing a connection between the enclosure and anexternal device (e.g., headphones). The auxiliary port 17 b may also bean opening in the enclosure 10 that provides access to a port in anelectronic device 40 within the enclosure 10. The depicted exemplaryenclosure 10 has two auxiliary ports 17 a and 17 b, but it is within thescope of the present invention for the enclosure 10 to have three ormore auxiliary ports.

As depicted, the exemplary enclosure 10 includes a charge plate 61 tofacilitate charging of the electronic device 40 while it is within theenclosure 10. The charge plate 61 provides a connection between anexternal cradle accessory in which the enclosure 10 may be placed andthe charging circuit of the device 40. The exemplary enclosure 10 alsoincludes an accessory slot 62 to facilitate the attachment of suitableaccessories (e.g., a lanyard).

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic anddescriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A slot for a magnetic card reading system,comprising: a central section having a first inner surface and a secondinner surface that are (i) substantially parallel and (ii) separatedfrom each other by a substantially uniform central separation D, thecentral section's first and second inner surfaces defining a swipe planeparallel to and equidistant from the central section's first and secondinner surfaces; and an upper section joined to the central section at anupper junction, the upper section having a first inner surface adjoiningthe central section's first inner surface and a second inner surfaceadjoining the central section's second inner surface; wherein the uppersection's first inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by aseparation X1; wherein the upper section's second inner surface isseparated from the swipe plane by a separation X2; wherein, at the upperjunction between the central section and the upper section, theseparation X1+X2 between the upper section's first inner surface and theupper section's second inner surface is approximately equal to thecentral separation D; wherein the separation X1 increases as thedistance from the upper junction along the swipe plane increases;wherein the separation X2 increases as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases; and a lower section joined tothe central section at a lower junction, the lower section having afirst inner surface adjoining the central section's first inner surfaceand a second inner surface adjoining the central section's second innersurface; wherein the lower section's first inner surface is separatedfrom the swipe plane by a separation Y1; wherein the lower section'ssecond inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by a separationY2; wherein, at the lower junction between the central section and thelower section, the separation Y1+Y2 between the lower section's firstinner surface and the lower section's second inner surface isapproximately equal to the central separation D; wherein the separationY1 increases as the distance from the lower junction along the swipeplane increases; and wherein the separation Y2 is substantially constantas the distance from the lower junction along the swipe plane increases.2. The slot according to claim 1, wherein the separation X1 and theseparation X2 increase linearly as the distance from the upper junctionalong the swipe plane increases.
 3. The slot according to claim 1,wherein the separation X1 and the separation X2 increase parabolicallyas the distance from the upper junction along the swipe plane increases.4. The slot according to claim 1, wherein the separation X1 and theseparation X2 remain approximately equal as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 5. The slot according to claim1, wherein the separation X1 and the separation X2 increase at differentrates as the distance from the upper junction along the swipe planeincreases.
 6. The slot according to claim 1, wherein the upper section'sfirst inner surface and the upper section's second inner surface definean angle of approximately 31 degrees.
 7. The slot according to claim 1,wherein the separation Y1 increases linearly as the distance from thelower, junction along the swipe plane increases.
 8. The slot accordingto claim 1, wherein the separation Y1 increases parabolically as thedistance from the lower junction along the swipe plane increases.
 9. Theslot according to claim 1, wherein the tower section's first innersurface and the lower section's second inner surface define an angle ofapproximately 19 degrees.
 10. An electronic device enclosure,comprising: a magnetic card reading system; and a slot for the magneticcard reading system, comprising: a central section having a first innersurface and a second inner surface that are (i) substantially paralleland (ii) separated from each other by a substantially uniform centralseparation D, the central section's first and second inner surfacesdefining a swipe plane parallel to and equidistant from the centralsection's first and second inner surfaces; and an upper section joinedto the central section at an upper junction, the upper section having afirst inner surface adjoining the central section's first inner surfaceand a second inner surface adjoining the central section's second innersurface; wherein the upper section's first inner surface is separatedfrom the swipe plane by a separation X1; wherein the upper section'ssecond inner surface is separated from the swipe plane by a separationX2; wherein, at the upper junction between the central section and theupper section, the separation X1+X2 between the upper section's firstinner surface and the upper section's second inner surface isapproximately equal to the central separation D; wherein the separationX1 increases as the distance from the upper junction along the swipeplane increases; wherein the separation X2 increases as the distancefrom the upper junction along the swipe plane increases; and wherein theupper section's first inner surface and the upper section's second innersurface define an angle of approximately 31 degrees.
 11. The electronicdevice enclosure according to claim 10, wherein the separation X1 andthe separation X2 increase linearly as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 12. The electronic deviceenclosure according to claim 10, wherein the separation X1 and theseparation X2 increase parabolically as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 13. The electronic deviceenclosure according to claim 10, wherein the separation X1 and theseparation X2 remain approximately equal as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 14. The electronic deviceenclosure according to claim 10, wherein the separation X1 and theseparation X2 increase at different rates as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 15. An electronic deviceenclosure, comprising: an image capture and processing system; amagnetic card reading system; and a slot for the magnetic card readingsystem, comprising: a central section having a first inner surface and asecond inner surface that are (i) substantially parallel and (ii)separated from each other by a substantially uniform central separationD, the central section's first and second inner surfaces defining aswipe plane parallel to and equidistant from the central section's firstand second inner surfaces; and an upper section joined to the centralsection at an upper junction, the upper section having a first innersurface adjoining the central section's first inner surface and a secondinner surface adjoining the central section's second inner surface;wherein the upper section's first inner surface is separated from theswipe plane by a separation X1; wherein the upper section's second innersurface is separated from the swipe plane by a separation X2; wherein,at the upper junction between the central section and the upper section,the separation X1+X2 between the upper section's first inner surface andthe upper section's second inner surface is approximately equal to thecentral separation D; wherein the separation X1 increases as thedistance from the upper junction along the swipe plane increases; andwherein the separation X2 increases as the distance from the upperjunction along the swipe plane increases.
 16. The electronic deviceenclosure according to claim 15, comprising a transmission window forthe image capture and processing system.
 17. The electronic deviceenclosure according to claim 15, comprising a camera aperture.
 18. Theelectronic device enclosure according to claim 15, comprising a firstdoor at a front edge and a second door at a back edge.